Lawmaker introduces bill to repeal HB2

Tonya Becker

The proposal has support from the two LGBT advocacy groups active in fighting HB2: Equality North Carolina and Human Rights Campaign. Brockman, who is bisexual, is one of only two openly LGBT lawmakers in the General Assembly. HB82 [bill, PDF] would repeal HB2, as well as outlawing housing, employment, and insurance discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. "It was predicated on fear and paranoia toward an already marginalized community and led to enormous economic loss".

But the bill might not get a hearing in the Republican-dominated legislature.

Opposition to the bill is stronger among urban voters: not only are they more likely to lean Democratic, they're also the ones most directly affected by the anti-HB2 boycott.

Groups opposing HB2 praised HB82. "It's a fact that lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer and especially transgender people, like myself, are at direct risk for discrimination and even violence because of this very bad law".

North Carolina Democrats have introduced new legislation to repeal HB2, the state's anti-LGBT law that prevents transgender individuals from using bathrooms that match the gender with which they identify. "Our goal should not be mediocracy but excellence". We need fully inclusive, comprehensive non-discrimination protections. "[Phil] Berger and House Speaker [Tim] Moore must immediately repeal HB2, and enact common sense protections".

"These bills would open bathrooms, showers, locker rooms and changing facilities across North Carolina to anyone at any time and would enact into law the exact weapons used in other states to attack and punish people of faith who are seeking to peacefully live their lives and operate their businesses in accordance with their deeply held religious beliefs", Rustin said in an email to WRAL News.

A spokesman for Cooper declined to say whether the governor supports expanding the state's anti-discrimination law, but North Carolina Republican Party Chairman Robin Hayes said he thinks legal protections for LGBT people are unnecessary.

Republican lawmakers say the time for a full HB2 repeal may be over after a deal reached in December with now-Gov. "By repealing it and replacing it with fully inclusive, commonsense non-discrimination protections, the state can finally begin to fix the incredible harm HB2 has caused".

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